The pilot who died after a Blue Angels FA-18 fighter jet went down in Tennessee while practicing for an air show has been identified as a 30-year-old Marine who grew up in Durango.
Marine Captain Jeff Kuss is a graduate of Durango High School and Fort Lewis College.
The jet crashed approximately two miles from the runway at Smyrna Airport. Officials aren’t sure why the plane went down. The five other F/A-18 jets in the Blue Angels landed safely moments later.
No civilians were hurt on the ground.
In order to become a specific type of Blue Angel’s pilot, Navy and Marine pilots must have aircraft carrier qualifications and a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet-flight hours, according the team’s website. Pilots typically serve two years before returning to their units.
Kuss was with the Blue Angels when they flew over the Super Bowl before the Denver Broncos' win. John Elway tweeted a photo of the two of them together.
"Honored to have met @BlueAngels Capt. Jeff Kuss, a Broncos fan & Colo. native, at Super Bowl," Elway wrote. "Prayers to his family."
Honored to have met @BlueAngels Capt Jeff Kuss, a Broncos fan & Colo. native, at Super Bowl. Prayers to his family. pic.twitter.com/Nt6qEsAhh4
— John Elway (@johnelway) June 3, 2016
